Malware specifically targeting mobile devices rose 33 percent in 2010 as hackers quickly pushed out new campaigns designed to capitalize on the popularity of smartphones and the fact that far too many users cast caution to the wind when accessing and sharing data from their mobile companions.

The sharp spike in mobile malware, according to a new report from mobile security software vendor AdaptiveMobile, was to be expected as demand for smartphones and mobile apps skyrocketed to record levels in 2010.

And while most of these attacks -- like this summer's brutally effective Trojan campaign targeting Android-powered devices -- were fairly simple in design and execution, security pundits expect hackers will step up their game in 2011 with more complex scams that will exploit multiple smartphone features and weaknesses to steal data and spread more malware.

"The next year will see the emergence of the compound threat -- intelligent scams designed to exploit multiple phone capabilities in order to reap maximum reward for the criminals, before the user even realizes they have become a victim," AdaptiveMobile COO Gareth Maclachlan said in the report.